Adelaide progresses from ACL group stage

Adelaide United have moved into the Asian Champions League's second round after a scoreless draw against Uzbekistan's Bunyodkor on Wednesday night.

The Reds earnt one point for the Hindmarsh Stadium stalemate, enough to keep them top of their group in the rich Asian competition.

With one match remaining, United are assured of advancing to the group of 16 despite failing to break Bunyodkor.

Adelaide winger Iain Ramsay had the best scoring chances against the Uzbeks, who showed rare attacking intent.

Ramsay, a frequent threat along the left flank, was played into range by an insightful Bruce Djite through ball in the 13th minute but shot over the bar.

Some nine minutes later the Reds speedster's opportunistic 10-metre shot was blocked by a Bunyodkor body on the goal line to the dismay of the parochial 7,794-strong crowd.

After half-time, Bunyodkor enjoyed their most dangerous patch with captain Viktor Karpenko and midfielder Lutfulla Turaev each forcing saves from Adelaide goalkeeper Eugene Galekovic within five minutes.

The Reds, who entered the fixture with three wins from four ACL matches this campaign, then failed to grasp two more genuine opportunities.

Defender Iain Fyfe, substituting for Osama Malik who was labouring with a knee injury, missed a close-range header in the 66th minute.

And Fabian Barbiero's speculative 15m drive deflected from a team-mate and landed wide some four minutes later.

Adelaide's final group match is away to Japan's Gamba Osaka in a fortnight.

United will now finish first or second in the group but will look to lock up top spot in order to claim a home fixture for the round of 16.

"Obviously we have confirmed our spot now in the second round," United's acting coach Luciano Trani said.

"The objective was pretty much achieved tonight, so that is a good thing."

Bunyodkor coach Mirdjalal Kasimov said the draw was a fitting result, while remaining hopeful of advancing to the next stage with a win in his side's final group match.

In the other Group E match, Pohang Steelers beat Gamba Osaka 2-0 at home and will face off against Bunyodkor to decide who makes the knock-outs, with the Uzbeks needing a win to go through.